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Biomedical subjects

E Saison-Behmoaras

Publications and source records attributed to E Saison-Behmoaras.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Biological activity of hexitol nucleic acids targeted at Ha-ras and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA.

Hexitol nucleic acid (HNA) is a new steric blocking oligonucleotide, hybridizing sequence selectively with RNA. The biological activity of HNA was evaluated in an in vitro translation arrest system targeting Ha-ras mRNA and in a cellular system targeting intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. HNA very efficiently and selectively inhibited Ha-ras mRNA translation (IC(50) of 50 nM) when targeted at the translation initiation region. When targeting at the 12th codon region, a gap-mer approach was needed to inhibit mRNA translation. Similarly, HNA inhibited ICAM-1 expression in keratinocytes when targeting at codon sequences. In this test system, HNA is less active but more selective than phosphorothioates, but needs lipofection to become active in keratinocytes. This new steric blocker may be an efficient antisense agent providing that enough material can be brought into cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Antisense effects of cholesterol-oligodeoxynucleotide conjugates associated with poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles.

Oligonucleotides covalently attached to a cholesteryl moiety are more stable in biological media and better taken up by eukaryotic cells. However, their anchoring in hydrophobic cellular membranes and endosomes after endocytosis restricts their access to cellular nucleic acids. New methods of cellular delivery and the biological activity of the conjugates were studied. The cholesteryl residue was conjugated via disulfide bond to the 5' or 3' terminal phosphate group of two oligodeoxyribonucleotide dodecamers complementary to the mutated region of Ha-ras oncogene mRNA. The conjugates were able to form complementary duplexes with the mutated 27-b target fragment of mRNA but not with the wild-type sequence. Efficient sequence-specific RNase H cleavage of complementary mRNA was induced with low (< or = 500 nM) concentrations of the conjugates. At higher concentrations, this cleavage was progressively inhibited, probably due to an interaction between RNase H and the cholesterol residue. The hydrophobic conjugates could be adsorbed onto poly(isohexylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles via their cholesteryl moieties and delivered to eukaryotic cells. Cholesterol-conjugated oligonucleotides were able to sequence-specifically inhibit the proliferation of T24 human bladder carcinoma cells in culture.

Adsorption↗

An approach for new anticancer drugs: oncogene-targeted antisense DNA.

BACKGROUND: Ras oncogenes owe their transforming properties to single point mutations in the sequence coding for the catalytic part of the p21 protein. These mutations lead to changes in cellular proliferation and tumorigenic properties. Point mutations represent a defined target for antisense oligonucleotides which specifically suppress translation of the targeted mRNA. However, the use of oligonucleotides in vivo has, until now, been limited by their instability in serum. NEW TECHNIQUES: Different strategies have been developed to protect the oligonucleotides and increase their transport into the target cell. Linking intercalating agents, hydrophobic groups or polycations to oligonucleotides or encapsulating them in liposomes resulted in a higher resistance to exonucleases and increased oligonucleotide penetration into cells. The stability and cellular uptake of antisense oligonucleotides can also be improved by associating them with polyalkylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles. The polymeric nature renders these small particles more stable than liposomes in biological fluids and during storage. METHOD: Antisense oligonucleotides directed to the point mutation (G to T) in codon 12 of the Ha-ras mRNA were adsorbed to nanoparticles in the presence of hydrophobic cations. RESULTS: These stabilized oligonucleotides selectively inhibited the proliferation of cells expressing this point mutation and partially reversed their tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Synthesis and binding properties of oligonucleotides carrying nuclear localization sequences.

The synthesis of oligonucleotides carrying nuclear localization peptide sequences is described using two strategies: first, oligonucleotides carrying a thiol group at the 5' end were reacted with maleimido peptides; second, peptide and oligonucleotide were prepared stepwise on the same support, yielding oligonucleotide-3'-peptide conjugates. This second approach was thoroughly studied. Using amino acids and small peptides as model compounds, some side reactions were analyzed, detected, and minimized. Oligonucleotides complementary to Ha-ras gene and carrying nuclear localization peptides at the 3' and 5' ends were prepared. Melting temperature studies showed that duplexes containing nuclear localization peptides were more stable than duplexes with unmodified oligonucleotides. Moreover, oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates maintain a good mismatch discrimination when they bind to their target RNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗